Syracuse vs Houston Prediction 11/24/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Houston Cougars and the Syracuse Orange will meet on Monday evening in a regular season contest at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars enter Monday’s matchup with a 5–0 record. Houston has posted wins over Lehigh, Towson, Oakland, Auburn, and Rider. Their most recent outing was a 91–45 blowout victory over Rider three days ago, Freshman guard Kingston Flemings amassed 18 points, 9 assists, 2 steals and 1 assist in 31 minutes of play. Additionally, Flemings shot 80% from the field, hitting 8 of 10 shots, including 2 from behind the three- point line.

The Cougars are averaging 76.4 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent shooting from three-point range. Defensively, Houston is allowing just 53.4 points per game, ranking second in the nation. Guard Kingston Flemings has been the team’s best overall player in 2025, averaging 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks a game. Senior guard Emanuel Sharp is averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. Freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr. anchors the paint, averaging 11 points, 7.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks a game. Senior guard Milos Uzan contributes 8.5 points and 5 assists per game, while forward Joseph Tugler averages 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest.

Syracuse Orange Betting Preview

Similar to the Houston Cougars, the Syracuse Orange arrive at Monday’s contest with an undefeated win-loss record in 2025. Syracuse is 4-0 this season, earning wins over Binghamton, Delaware State, Drexel, and Monmouth. In their most recent outing, the Syracuse Orange defeated Monmouth 78–73.

The Orange are averaging 81.5 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the field which ranks 14th in the country. The Orangeman are allowing opponents 53.3 points per game, which ranks first in the nation, 31 percent shooting from the field (first in country) and 23 percent from three‑point range. Freshman guard Kiyan Anthony is averaging 14.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists a game. Sophomore forward Donnie Freeman has been tasked with a larger role this season, contributing 13.4 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Center William Kyle III has certainly played well in the paint for the Orange, averaging 9.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 3.3 blocks per contest.

Defensively, Syracuse has been strong, holding opponents under 55 points in three of their four games played in 2025. The Orange rely heavily on Anthony’s perimeter scoring and Freeman’s frontcourt production, but their rotation depth remains untested against elite competition.

Why the Houston Cougars will win

•            Elite defense. In five games played this season, the Houston Cougars are allowing opponents to score just 53.4 points per game.

•            Balanced scoring. Flemings, Sharp, and Cenac Jr. combine for over 44 points per game.

Why the Syracuse Orange will win

•            Kiyan Anthony is averaging 18.5 points per game and shooting 54.8 percent from the field.

•            Donnie Freeman is averaging 13.4 points per game and has been a reliable frontcourt scorer.

•            Defensive discipline. Syracuse is allowing just 53.3 points per game, ranking first in the nation.

Houston Cougars vs. Syracuse Orange Prediction

This matchup features two undefeated teams with elite defenses and balanced scoring. Houston will look to control the boards with Cenac Jr. and Tugler, while Syracuse will rely on Anthony and Freeman to generate offense.

In my view, the Houston Cougars superior depth and defensive efficiency will be too much for the Orangeman in this game. Syracuse has been impressive, but they have not yet faced a team of Houston’s caliber. Expect Houston’s defense and rebounding to gradually wear down Syracuse, leading to a comfortable win. I am backing the Houston Cougars to cover the 11.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Houston -11.5